GOODLAND — A Goodland man pleaded no contest Monday to charges of involuntary manslaughter and child abuse stemming from the death of an infant in May 2020, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said in a news release.

Steven E. Johnson, 27, Goodland, entered the plea in Sherman County District Court to one count of involuntary manslaughter and one count of child abuse. Judge Scott Showalter accepted the plea and set sentencing for 9 a.m. Jan. 30 in Sherman County District Court.

The case stems from the death of a 3-month-old child on May 13, 2020. The case was investigated by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Goodland Police Department.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Jessica Domme of Schmidt’s office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670269593466.png" alt="Johnson-photo Sherman Co." />
 <figcaption>Johnson-photo Sherman Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>GOODLAND — A Goodland man pleaded no contest Monday to charges of involuntary manslaughter and child abuse stemming from the death of an infant in May 2020, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said in a news release.Steven E. Johnson, 27, Goodland, entered the plea in Sherman County District Court to one count of involuntary manslaughter and one count of child abuse. Judge Scott Showalter accepted the plea and set sentencing for 9 a.m. Jan. 30 in Sherman County District Court.The case stems from the death of a 3-month-old child on May 13, 2020. The case was investigated by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Goodland Police Department.The case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Jessica Domme of Schmidt’s office.

NW Kan. man pleads no contest to involuntary manslaughter, child abuse

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

A vacancy will occur on the Hays City Commission beginning Jan. 1.

Current Vice-Mayor Michael Berges, R-Hays, was elected to the Ellis County Commission District 1 seat during the<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/6e260438-27db-4402-bf8e-e8df621996d4"> August primary election</a>. There were no Democrat challengers on the ballot for the Nov. 8 general election.&nbsp;

He recently announced his last day as a city commissioner will be Dec. 31.

"I've thoroughly enjoyed representing the citizens of Hays and want to thank the city staff&nbsp;for their great work,&nbsp; &nbsp;and my fellow city commissioners for their efforts in working well together in these past three years," Berges said. "And I hope to continue that respectful relationship in my future role representing for our county."

Mayor Mason Ruder thanked Berges for his time serving the city.&nbsp;

"You and I came in here  in 2020 as the new people. Started out strong — roundabouts and COVID. If we can get through that, we can get through anything," Mayor Mason Ruder told Berges with a smile. "I appreciate what you've done for the city.

"I look forward in working with you in your [county] capacity."

Any Hays resident interested in being considered to fill the vacancy is encouraged to contact a city commissioner by Thursday, Dec. 8. If appointed, the person will serve one year.&nbsp;

State statute requires the city to fill an officially vacated city commission seat within 10 days.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670011452670.jpeg" alt="Flanked by Mayor Mason Ruder and Commissioner Shaun Musil, Vice-Mayor Michael Berges announces his last day as a Hays city commissioner will be Dec. 31.&nbsp; Berges was elected to the Ellis County Commission to represent District 1 in the Nov. 8 general election. (Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post)" />
 <figcaption>Flanked by Mayor Mason Ruder and Commissioner Shaun Musil, Vice-Mayor Michael Berges announces his last day as a Hays city commissioner will be Dec. 31.&nbsp; Berges was elected to the Ellis County Commission to represent District 1 in the Nov. 8 general election. (Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post)</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostA vacancy will occur on the Hays City Commission beginning Jan. 1.Current Vice-Mayor Michael Berges, R-Hays, was elected to the Ellis County Commission District 1 seat during the<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/6e260438-27db-4402-bf8e-e8df621996d4"> August primary election</a>. There were no Democrat challengers on the ballot for the Nov. 8 general election.&nbsp;He recently announced his last day as a city commissioner will be Dec. 31."I've thoroughly enjoyed representing the citizens of Hays and want to thank the city staff&nbsp;for their great work,&nbsp; &nbsp;and my fellow city commissioners for their efforts in working well together in these past three years," Berges said. "And I hope to continue that respectful relationship in my future role representing for our county."<div><div style="position:relative; overflow:hidden; padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/VsRGdulU-P46diVCW.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" title="Berges Resign" style="position:absolute;" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div>Mayor Mason Ruder thanked Berges for his time serving the city.&nbsp;"You and I came in here in 2020 as the new people. Started out strong — roundabouts and COVID. If we can get through that, we can get through anything," Mayor Mason Ruder told Berges with a smile. "I appreciate what you've done for the city."I look forward in working with you in your [county] capacity."Any Hays resident interested in being considered to fill the vacancy is encouraged to contact a city commissioner by Thursday, Dec. 8. If appointed, the person will serve one year.&nbsp;State statute requires the city to fill an officially vacated city commission seat within 10 days.&nbsp;

🎥 Seat to open on Hays commission with Berges' departure

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/b9675572-dea2-47d5-95d3-d95230f3b4b1">Second in a two-part series</a>

By ELIZABETH REMBERT, DAVID CONDOS and XCARET NUNEZ <a href="https://www.hppr.org/hppr-news/2022-11-29/a-hotter-drier-future-could-change-how-we-eat-how-we-breathe-and-where-we-get-our-water">Kansas News Service</a> and Harvest Public Media

Droughts like the one that’s parched crops, drained rivers and 
ignited wildfires this year in the Midwest foreshadow more frequent, 
more severe droughts in the decades ahead.


Long, deep dry stretches could mean you'll click a weather app in the
 morning not to check the forecast for rain — although you may wish for 
it — but to see if dust storms and wildfires are kicking up again.


Growing crops with little water might mean you'll eat cereal made 
from a perennial grain rather than your Corn Flakes or Wheaties. And if 
you want meat, which takes a lot of water to feed cattle, it might not 
be grown in a field.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/b9675572-dea2-47d5-95d3-d95230f3b4b1">RELATED:&nbsp;Here's how drought has battered the Midwest — and what it might mean for next year</a>

Climate change patterns in the Midwest are expected to accelerate 
drastically in the coming decades. Daniel Whitesel said rainstorms will 
be intense and short, depositing months of rain in days. The hard, 
sun-baked soil won’t be able to take in the moisture.


“There won’t be as many average years,” the climatologist with the 
High Plains Regional Climate Center and the National Drought Mitigation 
Center said. “You’ve heard about 1,000-year precipitation events, right?
 So in a similar light, we could have 1,000-year droughts.”


Life will have to change to find its place in the drier, hotter future, Whitesel said.


Water restrictions could mandate people to abandon their sprinkler 
systems and replace green lawns with native, drought-resistant plants. 
Wildfire precautions may mean skipping the fireworks on the Fourth of 
July to prevent <a href="https://www.klkntv.com/at-least-6-fires-spark-up-in-3-days-as-nebraska-authorities-send-firework-warnings/" target="_blank">errant sparks</a> from scorching consistently-parched neighborhoods.

In the past, the Ogallala Aquifer managed to stave off the worst 
effects of drought. The groundwater nest egg lies beneath much of 
Nebraska and western parts of Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. It supplies 
30% of the nation’s irrigation and drinking water for millions of 
people.


But the aquifer’s savior days are numbered — <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1220351110" target="_blank">scientists estimate</a> its southern half in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas <a href="https://hbr.org/2022/11/from-droughts-to-floods-water-risk-is-an-urgent-business-issue" target="_blank">will run out of water in less than 30 years.</a>

Drier, hotter days and a depleted aquifer could spark water trades between states or all-out <a href="https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/why-nebraska-is-igniting-a-western-water-war-with-colorado/" target="_blank">water wars</a>, Whitesel said.

The city of Lincoln, Nebraska, has already started to think about how
 it will provide water to its growing population as the Midwest gets 
hotter and drier.


It can no longer rely on the Platte River, which runs through central
 Nebraska and dried up at some parts throughout the summer, to replenish
 wells.


Liz Elliott stood near the river’s edge recently at the Platte’s eastern tail and looked across its shallow stream.


“Every time I drive across the Platte and you see the dryness, you 
kind of just hold your breath a little bit,” she said, “because if we 
don’t come up with a solution now, we might be too late.”


Elliott is Lincoln's director of transportation and utilities and is 
leading the search for another source of water for the second-largest 
city in Nebraska. The city established the project in 2005, but she said
 this year’s drought emphasized its importance.


“We’re kind of at that apex of ‘What’s next year going to be like if 
we don’t get any snow this winter?’” Elliott asked. “And to make sure we
 have water for the next 100 years, we need to find a second source of 
water.”


Water for public use only <a href="https://www.epa.gov/watersense/how-we-use-water" target="_blank">makes up about 12% of the nation’s freshwater use.</a> Agriculture uses nearly three times as much to irrigate thirsty crops like corn and soybeans.

Nick Jordan, an ecologist at the University of Minnesota, said 
drought will “substantially limit the ability of this part of the world 
to function as one of the major — quote, unquote — breadbasket regions.”


It could mean fewer corn and soybean fields. They have to be planted every year and take a lot of water.


“We have to move away from that or we're going to have a food system 
that's really vulnerable and there's going to be a lot of collateral 
damage to society,” Jordan said.


Tim Crews — who leads research at The Land Institute, a non-profit 
research organization focused on agriculture — sees an opportunity for 
perennial crops, which don’t have to be planted every year and can suss 
out water with deep roots.


Crews said he hopes corn and soybean fields don’t dominate Midwestern
 horizons in the future. He’d like to see a variety of crops on the 
landscape, especially perennials like the wheat-like grain Kernza, or 
perennial peas and alfalfa.


“It is going to require some cultural evolution and adaptation to 
come to terms with new foods in our diet,” Crews said. “But, boy, they 
will be far better suited to the conditions we’re about to face.”


Perennial crops have a difficult path ahead of them. There are 
endless ways to sell corn: to make fuel, corn syrup, antibiotics, 
livestock feed.


“How do we advance perennial agriculture so it becomes a significant 
part of our food system and supports byproducts like ethanol?” Jordan 
asked. “Is there a market? Can farmers stay in business if they grow 
these crops?


The meat industry is also vulnerable to drought. It’s hard to keep cattle comfortable <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-07-28/the-heat-killed-so-many-kansas-cattle-in-june-that-the-only-place-to-take-carcasses-was-a-landfill" target="_blank">and alive</a> in hot weather, and dry conditions zap the pastures they graze in and raise the cost of feed corn.

Enter lab-grown meat. Emma Ignaszewski researches alternative proteins with the non-profit think tank Good Food Institute.


“Communities have been forced to adapt to increasing droughts, 
floods, fires and crop failures, all while the demand for meat is set to
 double by 2050,” she said. “Cultivated meat could really be part of an 
effort to adapt to climate change.”


She said meat that’s grown from animal cells can get people their 
protein fix. After all, labs don’t need Mother Nature for ideal growing 
conditions.


Dry ground doesn’t just hurt agriculture. It can also hurt people, by
 making its way into their lungs through dust storms like the ones that 
hit western Kansas earlier this fall.


Jesse Bell studies water, climate and health at the University of 
Nebraska Medical Center. He said when drought hits, public health 
declines — even if that’s not immediately clear.


“When you look at other weather-related disasters, you can see the 
impacts on society pretty quickly,” he said. “Drought itself in the 
United States typically isn’t a cause of death. But drought changes the 
environment, and that change in the environment can lead to human health
 outcomes.”


Air pollution from dust-storms and wildfires could cause serious 
problems for people with asthma. Or hot, dry conditions could increase 
heat-related deaths and suicides from farmers struggling with growing 
conditions.


A recently-published study from Bell and his colleagues showed deaths among middle-aged white people in Nebraska <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35710006/" target="_blank">ticked up</a> during drought periods.

“The problems could get worse in the future,” Bell said. “If we can 
start building support within our public health systems to better 
understand the challenges during drought events, that’ll help us better 
prepare for the future.”


David Condos and Xcaret Nuñez contributed to this report, a 
collaboration between Harvest Public Media and the Kansas News Service.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1669754093058.png" alt="Parts of the Platte River in central Nebraska dried up completely this summer, like this stretch near Chapman, Nebraska. " />
 <figcaption>Parts of the Platte River in central Nebraska dried up completely this summer, like this stretch near Chapman, Nebraska. </figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/b9675572-dea2-47d5-95d3-d95230f3b4b1">Second in a two-part series</a>By ELIZABETH REMBERT, DAVID CONDOS and XCARET NUNEZ <a href="https://www.hppr.org/hppr-news/2022-11-29/a-hotter-drier-future-could-change-how-we-eat-how-we-breathe-and-where-we-get-our-water">Kansas News Service</a> and Harvest Public MediaDroughts like the one that’s parched crops, drained rivers and 
ignited wildfires this year in the Midwest foreshadow more frequent, 
more severe droughts in the decades ahead.
Long, deep dry stretches could mean you'll click a weather app in the
 morning not to check the forecast for rain — although you may wish for 
it — but to see if dust storms and wildfires are kicking up again.
Growing crops with little water might mean you'll eat cereal made 
from a perennial grain rather than your Corn Flakes or Wheaties. And if 
you want meat, which takes a lot of water to feed cattle, it might not 
be grown in a field.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/b9675572-dea2-47d5-95d3-d95230f3b4b1">RELATED:&nbsp;Here's how drought has battered the Midwest — and what it might mean for next year</a>Climate change patterns in the Midwest are expected to accelerate 
drastically in the coming decades. Daniel Whitesel said rainstorms will 
be intense and short, depositing months of rain in days. The hard, 
sun-baked soil won’t be able to take in the moisture.
“There won’t be as many average years,” the climatologist with the 
High Plains Regional Climate Center and the National Drought Mitigation 
Center said. “You’ve heard about 1,000-year precipitation events, right?
 So in a similar light, we could have 1,000-year droughts.”
Life will have to change to find its place in the drier, hotter future, Whitesel said.
Water restrictions could mandate people to abandon their sprinkler 
systems and replace green lawns with native, drought-resistant plants. 
Wildfire precautions may mean skipping the fireworks on the Fourth of 
July to prevent <a href="https://www.klkntv.com/at-least-6-fires-spark-up-in-3-days-as-nebraska-authorities-send-firework-warnings/" target="_blank">errant sparks</a> from scorching consistently-parched neighborhoods.
In the past, the Ogallala Aquifer managed to stave off the worst 
effects of drought. The groundwater nest egg lies beneath much of 
Nebraska and western parts of Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. It supplies 
30% of the nation’s irrigation and drinking water for millions of 
people.
But the aquifer’s savior days are numbered — <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1220351110" target="_blank">scientists estimate</a> its southern half in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas <a href="https://hbr.org/2022/11/from-droughts-to-floods-water-risk-is-an-urgent-business-issue" target="_blank">will run out of water in less than 30 years.</a>
Drier, hotter days and a depleted aquifer could spark water trades between states or all-out <a href="https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/why-nebraska-is-igniting-a-western-water-war-with-colorado/" target="_blank">water wars</a>, Whitesel said.
<h2>Finding a new water supply</h2>The city of Lincoln, Nebraska, has already started to think about how
 it will provide water to its growing population as the Midwest gets 
hotter and drier.
It can no longer rely on the Platte River, which runs through central
 Nebraska and dried up at some parts throughout the summer, to replenish
 wells.
Liz Elliott stood near the river’s edge recently at the Platte’s eastern tail and looked across its shallow stream.
<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1669754184207.png" alt="Liz Elliott stands near the edge of the Platte River, where the river replenishes the wells that provide Lincoln with water. Elizabeth Rembert / Harvest Public Media" />
 <figcaption>Liz Elliott stands near the edge of the Platte River, where the river replenishes the wells that provide Lincoln with water. Elizabeth Rembert / Harvest Public Media</figcaption>
 </figure>“Every time I drive across the Platte and you see the dryness, you 
kind of just hold your breath a little bit,” she said, “because if we 
don’t come up with a solution now, we might be too late.”
Elliott is Lincoln's director of transportation and utilities and is 
leading the search for another source of water for the second-largest 
city in Nebraska. The city established the project in 2005, but she said
 this year’s drought emphasized its importance.
“We’re kind of at that apex of ‘What’s next year going to be like if 
we don’t get any snow this winter?’” Elliott asked. “And to make sure we
 have water for the next 100 years, we need to find a second source of 
water.”
<h2>Changing agriculture</h2>Water for public use only <a href="https://www.epa.gov/watersense/how-we-use-water" target="_blank">makes up about 12% of the nation’s freshwater use.</a> Agriculture uses nearly three times as much to irrigate thirsty crops like corn and soybeans.
Nick Jordan, an ecologist at the University of Minnesota, said 
drought will “substantially limit the ability of this part of the world 
to function as one of the major — quote, unquote — breadbasket regions.”
It could mean fewer corn and soybean fields. They have to be planted every year and take a lot of water.
“We have to move away from that or we're going to have a food system 
that's really vulnerable and there's going to be a lot of collateral 
damage to society,” Jordan said.
Tim Crews — who leads research at The Land Institute, a non-profit 
research organization focused on agriculture — sees an opportunity for 
perennial crops, which don’t have to be planted every year and can suss 
out water with deep roots.
<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1669754225735.png" alt="The wheat-like, perennial grain kernza can be made into cereal, pasta and beer. But it'll be a challenge to convince farmers there's a viable market in perennial crops and sway them from growing reliable annuals like corn and soybeans. The Land Institute" />
 <figcaption>The wheat-like, perennial grain kernza can be made into cereal, pasta and beer. But it'll be a challenge to convince farmers there's a viable market in perennial crops and sway them from growing reliable annuals like corn and soybeans. The Land Institute</figcaption>
 </figure>Crews said he hopes corn and soybean fields don’t dominate Midwestern
 horizons in the future. He’d like to see a variety of crops on the 
landscape, especially perennials like the wheat-like grain Kernza, or 
perennial peas and alfalfa.
“It is going to require some cultural evolution and adaptation to 
come to terms with new foods in our diet,” Crews said. “But, boy, they 
will be far better suited to the conditions we’re about to face.”
Perennial crops have a difficult path ahead of them. There are 
endless ways to sell corn: to make fuel, corn syrup, antibiotics, 
livestock feed.
“How do we advance perennial agriculture so it becomes a significant 
part of our food system and supports byproducts like ethanol?” Jordan 
asked. “Is there a market? Can farmers stay in business if they grow 
these crops?
The meat industry is also vulnerable to drought. It’s hard to keep cattle comfortable <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-07-28/the-heat-killed-so-many-kansas-cattle-in-june-that-the-only-place-to-take-carcasses-was-a-landfill" target="_blank">and alive</a> in hot weather, and dry conditions zap the pastures they graze in and raise the cost of feed corn.
<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1669754263532.png" alt="Cultivated meat, like this cheeseburger, is grown in a lab from animal cells and require no slaughter. When produced at a commercial scale, cultivated meat uses up to 95% less land and 78% less water, according to a study commissioned by the Good Food Institute. Mosa Meat" />
 <figcaption>Cultivated meat, like this cheeseburger, is grown in a lab from animal cells and require no slaughter. When produced at a commercial scale, cultivated meat uses up to 95% less land and 78% less water, according to a study commissioned by the Good Food Institute. Mosa Meat</figcaption>
 </figure>Enter lab-grown meat. Emma Ignaszewski researches alternative proteins with the non-profit think tank Good Food Institute.
“Communities have been forced to adapt to increasing droughts, 
floods, fires and crop failures, all while the demand for meat is set to
 double by 2050,” she said. “Cultivated meat could really be part of an 
effort to adapt to climate change.”
She said meat that’s grown from animal cells can get people their 
protein fix. After all, labs don’t need Mother Nature for ideal growing 
conditions.
<h2>Health consequences</h2>Dry ground doesn’t just hurt agriculture. It can also hurt people, by
 making its way into their lungs through dust storms like the ones that 
hit western Kansas earlier this fall.
Jesse Bell studies water, climate and health at the University of 
Nebraska Medical Center. He said when drought hits, public health 
declines — even if that’s not immediately clear.
“When you look at other weather-related disasters, you can see the 
impacts on society pretty quickly,” he said. “Drought itself in the 
United States typically isn’t a cause of death. But drought changes the 
environment, and that change in the environment can lead to human health
 outcomes.”
<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1669754304901.png" alt="Strong winds in Pawnee County, Kansas whipped dust into the air in October 2022. Hot, dry conditions prime the way for dust storms and wildfires, which cause air pollution and may present serious problems for people with respiratory illnesses like asthma. David Condos / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Strong winds in Pawnee County, Kansas whipped dust into the air in October 2022. Hot, dry conditions prime the way for dust storms and wildfires, which cause air pollution and may present serious problems for people with respiratory illnesses like asthma. David Condos / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>Air pollution from dust-storms and wildfires could cause serious 
problems for people with asthma. Or hot, dry conditions could increase 
heat-related deaths and suicides from farmers struggling with growing 
conditions.
A recently-published study from Bell and his colleagues showed deaths among middle-aged white people in Nebraska <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35710006/" target="_blank">ticked up</a> during drought periods.
“The problems could get worse in the future,” Bell said. “If we can 
start building support within our public health systems to better 
understand the challenges during drought events, that’ll help us better 
prepare for the future.”
David Condos and Xcaret Nuñez contributed to this report, a 
collaboration between Harvest Public Media and the Kansas News Service.

Hotter, drier future could change how we eat, breathe, get our water

By AUDREY COLEMAN <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/12/05/from-this-celebrated-kansans-past-a-leadership-legacy-for-the-future/">Courtesy Kansas Reflector</a>

Dec. 5 marks one year since the passing of one of America’s greatest statesmen, U.S. Sen. Bob Dole.

In a time when bipartisan cooperation is an innovation rather than an
 empirical norm, we’re left with the historical examples. It’s 
instructive to remember that Dole reached the height of power and 
influence through dealmaking — shepherding nuanced, compromise 
legislative solutions into law and building a future-oriented consensus.

In honor of him, and fortunately for us, the values that produced 
these compromises are still alive and well at the University of Kansas’ 
Dole Institute of Politics. Since 2003, the Dole Institute has promoted 
civility, bipartisanship, and public service — elements of human 
character made institutional mission.

As a witness and participant in Dole’s memorial services last year, 
another of his defining qualities prevailed among the public remarks and
 personal conversations: his optimism, a posture not always present but 
well-considered and hard-fought.

Optimism has been a hard sell of late to students on college 
campuses, and all of us beyond, conjuring either willful obliviousness 
or a delusion excusing norm-destroying behavior. But the optimism Dole 
came to know was constructive, centering the belief beyond all doubt 
that he — and you, and I — possessed the power to surmount the day’s 
challenges together and regardless of political difference.

Several weeks ago, among an already busy slate of engagement 
opportunities for young people, the Dole Institute hosted an exchange 
between KU students, largely Kansan and Midwestern, with a group of 
students from Harvard Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics for 
conversation about political polarization, political participation and 
democracy’s future in this country. Twelve undergraduate students of 
different places, backgrounds and beliefs dedicated their weekend to one
 another, deliberating actionable steps to address what comes next for 
our country.

Those of us who had the privilege to witness this next generation — 
their smarts, compassion, earnestness of purpose — would be forgiven our
 optimism for our nation’s future.

The 118th Congress will convene in January, and again arrives the 
opportunity for a new cohort of leaders to turn from bitter partisanship
 toward compromise and consensus. That expectation might seem 
unreasonable given our political climate, but as the midterm election 
results showed, the electorate is ready for a change in tone.

In this way, perhaps, the past is again an inspiration. More than a 
quarter-century ago, Dole accepted the Republican nomination for 
president with a speech that closed in these words:

Optimism is in our blood. I know this as few others can. There 
once was a time when I doubted the future. But I have learned as many of
 you have learned that obstacles can be overcome.

And I have unlimited confidence in the wisdom of our people and the future of our country.

Tonight, I stand before you tested by adversity, made sensitive 
by hardship, a fighter by principle, and the most optimistic man in 
America.

My life is proof that America is a land without limits. And with 
my feet on the ground and my heart filled with hope, I put my faith in 
you and in the God who loves us all.

For I am convinced that America’s best days are yet to come.

We don’t typically look for the next wave of the future in 
institutions, which tend to be about as revolutionary as nostalgia for a
 receding past. But at their best, when reflecting human nature’s finest
 qualities, they are both an essential foundation of and sustaining 
nourishment for an enduring democratic society.

On a sad day for so many, how fortunate we are that Dole’s legacy 
lives through a thriving institution dedicated to the only kind of 
leadership that will secure our country’s future.

Audrey Coleman is the director of the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas in Lawrence.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670260627700.png" alt="Audrey Coleman gives opening remarks at the Kansas Statehouse service for Sen. Bob Dole last year. (Eric Montgomery/Dole Archives)" />
 <figcaption>Audrey Coleman gives opening remarks at the Kansas Statehouse service for Sen. Bob Dole last year. (Eric Montgomery/Dole Archives)</figcaption>
 </figure>By AUDREY COLEMAN <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/12/05/from-this-celebrated-kansans-past-a-leadership-legacy-for-the-future/">Courtesy Kansas Reflector</a>Dec. 5 marks one year since the passing of one of America’s greatest statesmen, U.S. Sen. Bob Dole.In a time when bipartisan cooperation is an innovation rather than an
 empirical norm, we’re left with the historical examples. It’s 
instructive to remember that Dole reached the height of power and 
influence through dealmaking — shepherding nuanced, compromise 
legislative solutions into law and building a future-oriented consensus.In honor of him, and fortunately for us, the values that produced 
these compromises are still alive and well at the University of Kansas’ 
Dole Institute of Politics. Since 2003, the Dole Institute has promoted 
civility, bipartisanship, and public service — elements of human 
character made institutional mission.As a witness and participant in Dole’s memorial services last year, 
another of his defining qualities prevailed among the public remarks and
 personal conversations: his optimism, a posture not always present but 
well-considered and hard-fought.Optimism has been a hard sell of late to students on college 
campuses, and all of us beyond, conjuring either willful obliviousness 
or a delusion excusing norm-destroying behavior. But the optimism Dole 
came to know was constructive, centering the belief beyond all doubt 
that he — and you, and I — possessed the power to surmount the day’s 
challenges together and regardless of political difference.Partisanship was a means, not an end.Several weeks ago, among an already busy slate of engagement 
opportunities for young people, the Dole Institute hosted an exchange 
between KU students, largely Kansan and Midwestern, with a group of 
students from Harvard Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics for 
conversation about political polarization, political participation and 
democracy’s future in this country. Twelve undergraduate students of 
different places, backgrounds and beliefs dedicated their weekend to one
 another, deliberating actionable steps to address what comes next for 
our country.Those of us who had the privilege to witness this next generation — 
their smarts, compassion, earnestness of purpose — would be forgiven our
 optimism for our nation’s future.The 118th Congress will convene in January, and again arrives the 
opportunity for a new cohort of leaders to turn from bitter partisanship
 toward compromise and consensus. That expectation might seem 
unreasonable given our political climate, but as the midterm election 
results showed, the electorate is ready for a change in tone.In this way, perhaps, the past is again an inspiration. More than a 
quarter-century ago, Dole accepted the Republican nomination for 
president with a speech that closed in these words:Optimism is in our blood. I know this as few others can. There 
once was a time when I doubted the future. But I have learned as many of
 you have learned that obstacles can be overcome.And I have unlimited confidence in the wisdom of our people and the future of our country.Tonight, I stand before you tested by adversity, made sensitive 
by hardship, a fighter by principle, and the most optimistic man in 
America. My life is proof that America is a land without limits. And with 
my feet on the ground and my heart filled with hope, I put my faith in 
you and in the God who loves us all.For I am convinced that America’s best days are yet to come.We don’t typically look for the next wave of the future in 
institutions, which tend to be about as revolutionary as nostalgia for a
 receding past. But at their best, when reflecting human nature’s finest
 qualities, they are both an essential foundation of and sustaining 
nourishment for an enduring democratic society.On a sad day for so many, how fortunate we are that Dole’s legacy 
lives through a thriving institution dedicated to the only kind of 
leadership that will secure our country’s future.Audrey Coleman is the director of the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas in Lawrence.

OPINION: From celebrated Kansan’s past, a leadership legacy for the future

Tip a Cop to raise money for Special Olympics Tuesday at Gella's

LARNED — Fort Larned National Historic Site will host its annual Christmas Past celebration from noon to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 10.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Get a picture with Santa then take a ride in his horse-drawn carriage, complete with sleigh bells and Christmas wreaths.&nbsp;Other activities include living history in the Barracks and Officers’ quarters, hot apple cider and popcorn in the Visitor Center and demonstrations by the Fort’s blacksmith.&nbsp;

The soldiers and officers at Fort Larned in the 1860s enjoyed Christmas activities and traditions like we do today. Join as we recreate an old-fashioned frontier Christmas at one of the best-preserved Indian Wars era forts in the country. &nbsp;

All items will be 15 percent off in the bookstore and gift shop from Dec. 10 to 18.&nbsp;

Fort Larned National Historic Site is located 6 miles west of Larned on Kansas Highway 156.&nbsp; Find&nbsp;information on visiting at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nps.gov/fols">www.nps.gov/fols</a>, by calling 620-285-6911, or emailing&nbsp;<a href="mailto:fols_internet@nps.gov">fols_internet@nps.gov</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;For information on area tourism partners, lodging, dining and community services go to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.larnedks.org/">www.larnedks.org</a>&nbsp;or call 620-285-6916.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670086553722.jpeg" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>News releaseLARNED — Fort Larned National Historic Site will host its annual Christmas Past celebration from noon to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 10.&nbsp;&nbsp;Get a picture with Santa then take a ride in his horse-drawn carriage, complete with sleigh bells and Christmas wreaths.&nbsp;Other activities include living history in the Barracks and Officers’ quarters, hot apple cider and popcorn in the Visitor Center and demonstrations by the Fort’s blacksmith.&nbsp;The soldiers and officers at Fort Larned in the 1860s enjoyed Christmas activities and traditions like we do today. Join as we recreate an old-fashioned frontier Christmas at one of the best-preserved Indian Wars era forts in the country. &nbsp;All items will be 15 percent off in the bookstore and gift shop from Dec. 10 to 18.&nbsp;Fort Larned National Historic Site is located 6 miles west of Larned on Kansas Highway 156.&nbsp; Find&nbsp;information on visiting at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nps.gov/fols">www.nps.gov/fols</a>, by calling 620-285-6911, or emailing&nbsp;<a href="mailto:fols_internet@nps.gov">fols_internet@nps.gov</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;For information on area tourism partners, lodging, dining and community services go to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.larnedks.org/">www.larnedks.org</a>&nbsp;or call 620-285-6916.&nbsp;

Enjoy sleigh bells and Santa for Christmas at Fort Larned      

<a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670008476280.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

Three-day weather outlook

At a meeting last week, the Child Care Task Force of Ellis County shared the insights members gleaned from a series of focus groups.

Finding locations for child care centers is not an issue, but supporting and recruiting providers, and regulatory hurdles are, according to people who attended the focus groups.

Sarah Wasinger, task force member, shared the information with the rest of the task force.

Ellis County would need 640 additional child care spots to reach full capacity.

Several participants who attended the faith-based focus group said their churches have spaces that could be available for child care and their churches would be interested in partnering with providers in some way, Wasigner said.

Wasinger said the Hays Chamber could act as a contact point for providers who might be interested in partnering with one of these faith groups.

"Because we have the ties to KDHE and Child Care Aware of Kansas, [the chamber] can then connect them with resources on the different things they can access," Wasinger said of potential providers.

The faith-based participants shared Centennial Plaza and Epworth Towers could be good places to look toward for creating foster grandparent programs.

They also brought up Lincoln Elementary School, which is set to be closed once construction on several Hays USD 489 bond projects is completed.

State law would prohibit young children from being housed on the second floor of the building, and Wasinger said there are also limitations to a building that is almost 100 years old. The group discussed bringing modular buildings onto the land. A provider could use the playground that already exists at that location.

The provider focus group participants discussed some of the challenges of waiting lists.

Bright Minds Academy has a waiting list of 20 to 25 children. The baby room is booked through 2025. 

Staffing continues to be a challenge because workers can make more money working in the fast food industry, Wasinger said.

Bright Minds also raised concerns about the need to raise tuition.&nbsp; Caregivers need to make livable wages, but providers don't want to charge prices that parents can't afford, Wasinger said.

Child care workers are required to take a two-week online health and safety course. Providers said it would help if that training could be provided for free. Offering free CPR and first-aid classes on a regular basis could also be an incentive to recruit new child-care workers.

Providers expressed frustration with the bureaucracy.&nbsp; Wasinger said it can be months between certification and when a home can open.

Provider and task force member Andrea Hoss said she would like the state to issue emergency orders to allow child-care homes or centers to care for more children. 

Hoss said our community is in a crisis. The community has first responders who can't go to work because they don't have child care, she said.

Legislators are often unaware of the child care regulatory hurdles, said Donna Hudson-Hamilton, task force member and director of Early Childhood Connections. She said it is up to providers and members of the task force to educate legislators.

State Rep. Barb Wasinger, R-Hays, has attended some task force meetings, but she was not at the November meeting.

Brett Schmidt, provider, said the power to change regulations lies with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. He said suggestions should be brought to that agency.

The providers also suggested trying to get business or accounting students to help providers with their bookkeeping. They also discussed the possibility of the task force applying for a grant to purchase business management software for providers or pooling resources to obtain discounts on licenses.

Providers have had continued discussions of trying to get a restaurant or caterer to work with providers to produce meals for children in care.

Employers said they saw lost productivity if a parent had to bring a child to work because of lack of care. Some employees have been unsure if they will return to work after maternity leave because they don't know if they will be able to secure child care.

During the educators' focus group a representative from Tiger Tots child care said that center had a year to year and a half waiting period.

The group discussed a hospital in another community that offers child care for sick children. 

Hudson-Hamilton said she is still working to establish a child care accreditation track at Hays High School. 

The group talked about tapping into retired teachers as potential child care providers.

The task force also discussed organizing quarterly education presentations for providers. They hoped this would also be time providers could offer each other support. The task force is interested in finding sponsors for these meetings so it could provide meals.

The task force has received a $30,000 matching grant from the Robert E. and Patricia A. Schmidt Foundation to use toward a child care awareness campaign. The task force received $15,000 toward the match from the Ellis County Commission plus donations from other charitable groups and businesses. It still needs $3,800 to garner the full Schmidt Foundation match.

The Schmidt Foundation will still honor the match dollar-for-dollar even if the full $30,000 is not raised, Wasinger said. If the task force doesn't receive the full $30,000 match, it will reduce its spending on the campaign.

The task force hopes to begin the year-long campaign in January.

Cover photo courtesy of Pixabay

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostAt a meeting last week, the Child Care Task Force of Ellis County shared the insights members gleaned from a series of focus groups.Finding locations for child care centers is not an issue, but supporting and recruiting providers, and regulatory hurdles are, according to people who attended the focus groups. Sarah Wasinger, task force member, shared the information with the rest of the task force.Ellis County would need 640 additional child care spots to reach full capacity. Several participants who attended the faith-based focus group said their churches have spaces that could be available for child care and their churches would be interested in partnering with providers in some way, Wasigner said.Wasinger said the Hays Chamber could act as a contact point for providers who might be interested in partnering with one of these faith groups."Because we have the ties to KDHE and Child Care Aware of Kansas, [the chamber] can then connect them with resources on the different things they can access," Wasinger said of potential providers.The faith-based participants shared Centennial Plaza and Epworth Towers could be good places to look toward for creating foster grandparent programs.They also brought up Lincoln Elementary School, which is set to be closed once construction on several Hays USD 489 bond projects is completed.State law would prohibit young children from being housed on the second floor of the building, and Wasinger said there are also limitations to a building that is almost 100 years old. The group discussed bringing modular buildings onto the land. A provider could use the playground that already exists at that location. The provider focus group participants discussed some of the challenges of waiting lists.Bright Minds Academy has a waiting list of 20 to 25 children. The baby room is booked through 2025. Staffing continues to be a challenge because workers can make more money working in the fast food industry, Wasinger said.Bright Minds also raised concerns about the need to raise tuition.&nbsp; Caregivers need to make livable wages, but providers don't want to charge prices that parents can't afford, Wasinger said.Child care workers are required to take a two-week online health and safety course. Providers said it would help if that training could be provided for free. Offering free CPR and first-aid classes on a regular basis could also be an incentive to recruit new child-care workers.Providers expressed frustration with the bureaucracy.&nbsp; Wasinger said it can be months between certification and when a home can open. Provider and task force member Andrea Hoss said she would like the state to issue emergency orders to allow child-care homes or centers to care for more children. Hoss said our community is in a crisis. The community has first responders who can't go to work because they don't have child care, she said. Legislators are often unaware of the child care regulatory hurdles, said Donna Hudson-Hamilton, task force member and director of Early Childhood Connections. She said it is up to providers and members of the task force to educate legislators.State Rep. Barb Wasinger, R-Hays, has attended some task force meetings, but she was not at the November meeting. Brett Schmidt, provider, said the power to change regulations lies with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. He said suggestions should be brought to that agency.The providers also suggested trying to get business or accounting students to help providers with their bookkeeping. They also discussed the possibility of the task force applying for a grant to purchase business management software for providers or pooling resources to obtain discounts on licenses. Providers have had continued discussions of trying to get a restaurant or caterer to work with providers to produce meals for children in care.Employers said they saw lost productivity if a parent had to bring a child to work because of lack of care. Some employees have been unsure if they will return to work after maternity leave because they don't know if they will be able to secure child care.During the educators' focus group a representative from Tiger Tots child care said that center had a year to year and a half waiting period. The group discussed a hospital in another community that offers child care for sick children. Hudson-Hamilton said she is still working to establish a child care accreditation track at Hays High School. The group talked about tapping into retired teachers as potential child care providers.The task force also discussed organizing quarterly education presentations for providers. They hoped this would also be time providers could offer each other support. The task force is interested in finding sponsors for these meetings so it could provide meals.The task force has received a $30,000 matching grant from the Robert E. and Patricia A. Schmidt Foundation to use toward a child care awareness campaign. The task force received $15,000 toward the match from the Ellis County Commission plus donations from other charitable groups and businesses. It still needs $3,800 to garner the full Schmidt Foundation match.The Schmidt Foundation will still honor the match dollar-for-dollar even if the full $30,000 is not raised, Wasinger said. If the task force doesn't receive the full $30,000 match, it will reduce its spending on the campaign. The task force hopes to begin the year-long campaign in January. Cover photo courtesy of Pixabay

Ellis County Child Care Task Force discusses fixes during focus groups

It's a happy holiday season in Hays with a calendar filled with community events.

Melissa Dixon, Convention and Visitors Bureau executive director, has just a handful of the highlighted activities during December, included some special Santa stops in Hays.

For an up-to-the-minute holiday calendar of events, check the Hays CVB website at <a href="https://www.visithays.com/calendar.aspx">www.visithays.com</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1643752861736.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostIt's a happy holiday season in Hays with a calendar filled with community events.Melissa Dixon, Convention and Visitors Bureau executive director, has just a handful of the highlighted activities during December, included some special Santa stops in Hays.<div><div style="position:relative; overflow:hidden; padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/ouLAfBrM-P46diVCW.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" title="Cvb Dec 2022" style="position:absolute;" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div>For an up-to-the-minute holiday calendar of events, check the Hays CVB website at <a href="https://www.visithays.com/calendar.aspx">www.visithays.com</a>.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670020621821.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

🎥 CVB: Check out the holiday fun in Hays this season 

Over Labor Day Weekend ,many&nbsp;Nicodemus descendants gathered to&nbsp;re-enact&nbsp;their ancestors’ story&nbsp;of leaving&nbsp;1877&nbsp;Kentucky&nbsp;to&nbsp;immigrate&nbsp;to Western Kansas&nbsp;to homestead and found a town. Descendant Angela Bates&nbsp;devoted decades to researching and recording her family’s&nbsp;Western Kansas story&nbsp;and has written a script to share&nbsp;it. &nbsp;The&nbsp;ripples, like those of a pebble tossed into a still pond, continue to affect&nbsp;participants’ lives.

Angela&nbsp;researched the Ellis/Nicodemus Trail, collaborated with Walz families who own land the trail crosses, wrote the script, encouraged cousins to participate,&nbsp;and&nbsp;discovered&nbsp;Nick Abt&nbsp;Films.&nbsp;Finally, she, with the help of others, and funding from the National Parks Foundation and Trust for Public Lands,&nbsp;tied up loose ends necessary to film the&nbsp;Ellis to Nicodemus Trail&nbsp;segment&nbsp;of the documentary in&nbsp;only three days.&nbsp;After a storm threatened filming on Friday evening,&nbsp;they&nbsp;shot&nbsp;the rest of the weekend’s footage&nbsp;with&nbsp;sunshine,&nbsp;gentle breezes, and moderate temperatures.&nbsp;Everyone involved&nbsp;thanked God&nbsp;that local snakes sunbathed&nbsp;elsewhere&nbsp;while&nbsp;participants&nbsp;traipsed&nbsp;the path their forebears&nbsp;walked&nbsp;145 years earlier.&nbsp;

I&nbsp;participated&nbsp;as the&nbsp;proverbial fly on the wall, taking&nbsp;photos and listening&nbsp;to conversations among computer techs, business people, realtors, vet techs, university professors, United States Park Service employees, chefs,&nbsp;and&nbsp;others&nbsp;who peeled&nbsp;away&nbsp;layers of shared family history.&nbsp;Several descendants&nbsp;traveled from&nbsp;urban areas&nbsp;as far away as Atlanta and Cincinnati&nbsp;because&nbsp;Nicodemus like most western Kansas&nbsp;small towns has outsourced&nbsp;many&nbsp;dreamers and visionaries.&nbsp;

These cousins&nbsp;proudly&nbsp;connect to this community that birthed their&nbsp;futures&nbsp;through their&nbsp;annual&nbsp;Emancipation&nbsp;Celebration&nbsp;and its huge gathering.&nbsp;Only a&nbsp;few&nbsp;live&nbsp;nearby so&nbsp;hiking through&nbsp;grasses&nbsp;so&nbsp;dense&nbsp;walkers&nbsp;couldn’t see&nbsp;snakes or ticks added realistic drama.&nbsp;Experiencing&nbsp;mosquito&nbsp;bites and&nbsp;a badger-hole-induced&nbsp;tumble,&nbsp;re-enactors&nbsp;demonstrated the&nbsp;same&nbsp;hardy spirit their ancestors&nbsp;displayed following wagons&nbsp;35 miles&nbsp;northwest&nbsp;from&nbsp;Ellis&nbsp;across unbroken&nbsp;prairie to&nbsp;undeveloped&nbsp;Nicodemus.&nbsp;

On Pioneer Day in October,&nbsp;ripples widened as&nbsp;documentary&nbsp;participants&nbsp;provided the Nicodemus Historical Society&nbsp;Program.&nbsp;Actors&nbsp;emotionally&nbsp;voiced&nbsp;either in person or through Zoomhow the filming impacted them.&nbsp;Several told how children,&nbsp;grandchildren, and friends&nbsp;had never heard of&nbsp;relatives who left Kentucky and&nbsp;traveled&nbsp;to Kansas to homestead.&nbsp;They&nbsp;discussed&nbsp;what homesteading required.&nbsp;All&nbsp;took pride in&nbsp;descending&nbsp;from sturdy stock.&nbsp;Actors&nbsp;playing the&nbsp;very&nbsp;pregnant&nbsp;Emma Williams,&nbsp;her mom&nbsp;Zerina, and dad&nbsp;Tom&nbsp;Johnson&nbsp;experienced&nbsp;a deep spiritual connection to&nbsp;ancestors they portrayed.&nbsp;Those observing filming watched their characters develop&nbsp;and deepen.&nbsp;

Many&nbsp;participants&nbsp;noted original settlers’&nbsp;physical&nbsp;stressors&nbsp;due to traveling with&nbsp;a very pregnant woman&nbsp;and&nbsp;several older family members.&nbsp;They commented that their&nbsp;ancestors relied entirely on themselves during that first&nbsp;trek&nbsp;to Nicodemus. Re-enactors knew&nbsp;they&nbsp;could call help if&nbsp;necessary. Someone&nbsp;mentioned&nbsp;farmsteads with wells&nbsp;now&nbsp;exist that didn’t back then.&nbsp;Those newcomers&nbsp;either carried water or drank from creeks and the river along the way.

The circle widens as this story impacts&nbsp;more than&nbsp;the descendants recreating&nbsp;it. Their&nbsp;formerly enslaved&nbsp;ancestors’&nbsp;desire for freedom and the right to&nbsp;homestead&nbsp;came to life for&nbsp;the film crew, land owners, support crews, and&nbsp;wagon and horse&nbsp;teams&nbsp;who had no relatives in Nicodemus.&nbsp;The filming&nbsp;touched everyone involved.&nbsp;That effect will grow as more audiences view it.&nbsp;

Completing all aspects of the documentary takes time.&nbsp;In the future, when it hits the screen, ripples will expand beyond Western Kansas and these&nbsp;participants’&nbsp;lives.&nbsp;This&nbsp;story&nbsp;of strength and determination adds not only to the&nbsp;legacy&nbsp;of our state but also our nation. &nbsp;

Karen is a retired teacher, writer, photographer, outdoors lover, and
 sixth-generation Kansan. After a time away, she’s glad to be home.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1669931782533.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By KAREN MADORINOver Labor Day Weekend ,many&nbsp;Nicodemus descendants gathered to&nbsp;re-enact&nbsp;their ancestors’ story&nbsp;of leaving&nbsp;1877&nbsp;Kentucky&nbsp;to&nbsp;immigrate&nbsp;to Western Kansas&nbsp;to homestead and found a town. Descendant Angela Bates&nbsp;devoted decades to researching and recording her family’s&nbsp;Western Kansas story&nbsp;and has written a script to share&nbsp;it. &nbsp;The&nbsp;ripples, like those of a pebble tossed into a still pond, continue to affect&nbsp;participants’ lives.Angela&nbsp;researched the Ellis/Nicodemus Trail, collaborated with Walz families who own land the trail crosses, wrote the script, encouraged cousins to participate,&nbsp;and&nbsp;discovered&nbsp;Nick Abt&nbsp;Films.&nbsp;Finally, she, with the help of others, and funding from the National Parks Foundation and Trust for Public Lands,&nbsp;tied up loose ends necessary to film the&nbsp;Ellis to Nicodemus Trail&nbsp;segment&nbsp;of the documentary in&nbsp;only three days.&nbsp;After a storm threatened filming on Friday evening,&nbsp;they&nbsp;shot&nbsp;the rest of the weekend’s footage&nbsp;with&nbsp;sunshine,&nbsp;gentle breezes, and moderate temperatures.&nbsp;Everyone involved&nbsp;thanked God&nbsp;that local snakes sunbathed&nbsp;elsewhere&nbsp;while&nbsp;participants&nbsp;traipsed&nbsp;the path their forebears&nbsp;walked&nbsp;145 years earlier.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1658158605319.jpeg" alt="Karen Madorin" />
 <figcaption>Karen Madorin</figcaption>
 </figure>I&nbsp;participated&nbsp;as the&nbsp;proverbial fly on the wall, taking&nbsp;photos and listening&nbsp;to conversations among computer techs, business people, realtors, vet techs, university professors, United States Park Service employees, chefs,&nbsp;and&nbsp;others&nbsp;who peeled&nbsp;away&nbsp;layers of shared family history.&nbsp;Several descendants&nbsp;traveled from&nbsp;urban areas&nbsp;as far away as Atlanta and Cincinnati&nbsp;because&nbsp;Nicodemus like most western Kansas&nbsp;small towns has outsourced&nbsp;many&nbsp;dreamers and visionaries.&nbsp;These cousins&nbsp;proudly&nbsp;connect to this community that birthed their&nbsp;futures&nbsp;through their&nbsp;annual&nbsp;Emancipation&nbsp;Celebration&nbsp;and its huge gathering.&nbsp;Only a&nbsp;few&nbsp;live&nbsp;nearby so&nbsp;hiking through&nbsp;grasses&nbsp;so&nbsp;dense&nbsp;walkers&nbsp;couldn’t see&nbsp;snakes or ticks added realistic drama.&nbsp;Experiencing&nbsp;mosquito&nbsp;bites and&nbsp;a badger-hole-induced&nbsp;tumble,&nbsp;re-enactors&nbsp;demonstrated the&nbsp;same&nbsp;hardy spirit their ancestors&nbsp;displayed following wagons&nbsp;35 miles&nbsp;northwest&nbsp;from&nbsp;Ellis&nbsp;across unbroken&nbsp;prairie to&nbsp;undeveloped&nbsp;Nicodemus.&nbsp;On Pioneer Day in October,&nbsp;ripples widened as&nbsp;documentary&nbsp;participants&nbsp;provided the Nicodemus Historical Society&nbsp;Program.&nbsp;Actors&nbsp;emotionally&nbsp;voiced&nbsp;either in person or through Zoomhow the filming impacted them.&nbsp;Several told how children,&nbsp;grandchildren, and friends&nbsp;had never heard of&nbsp;relatives who left Kentucky and&nbsp;traveled&nbsp;to Kansas to homestead.&nbsp;They&nbsp;discussed&nbsp;what homesteading required.&nbsp;All&nbsp;took pride in&nbsp;descending&nbsp;from sturdy stock.&nbsp;Actors&nbsp;playing the&nbsp;very&nbsp;pregnant&nbsp;Emma Williams,&nbsp;her mom&nbsp;Zerina, and dad&nbsp;Tom&nbsp;Johnson&nbsp;experienced&nbsp;a deep spiritual connection to&nbsp;ancestors they portrayed.&nbsp;Those observing filming watched their characters develop&nbsp;and deepen.&nbsp;Many&nbsp;participants&nbsp;noted original settlers’&nbsp;physical&nbsp;stressors&nbsp;due to traveling with&nbsp;a very pregnant woman&nbsp;and&nbsp;several older family members.&nbsp;They commented that their&nbsp;ancestors relied entirely on themselves during that first&nbsp;trek&nbsp;to Nicodemus. Re-enactors knew&nbsp;they&nbsp;could call help if&nbsp;necessary. Someone&nbsp;mentioned&nbsp;farmsteads with wells&nbsp;now&nbsp;exist that didn’t back then.&nbsp;Those newcomers&nbsp;either carried water or drank from creeks and the river along the way.The circle widens as this story impacts&nbsp;more than&nbsp;the descendants recreating&nbsp;it. Their&nbsp;formerly enslaved&nbsp;ancestors’&nbsp;desire for freedom and the right to&nbsp;homestead&nbsp;came to life for&nbsp;the film crew, land owners, support crews, and&nbsp;wagon and horse&nbsp;teams&nbsp;who had no relatives in Nicodemus.&nbsp;The filming&nbsp;touched everyone involved.&nbsp;That effect will grow as more audiences view it.&nbsp;Completing all aspects of the documentary takes time.&nbsp;In the future, when it hits the screen, ripples will expand beyond Western Kansas and these&nbsp;participants’&nbsp;lives.&nbsp;This&nbsp;story&nbsp;of strength and determination adds not only to the&nbsp;legacy&nbsp;of our state but also our nation. &nbsp;Karen is a retired teacher, writer, photographer, outdoors lover, and
 sixth-generation Kansan. After a time away, she’s glad to be home.

MADORIN: Ripples beyond Nicodemus

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670008443736.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

There was nearly a 70-degree swing in temperature from a record high on Thursday to the overnight low, according to the K-State Ag Research Center in Hays.

The high on Thursday was a Dec. 2 record of 77 degrees, with the overnight low plunging to just 8 degrees.

The high Saturday is expected to reach the low-40s, with highs in the low-50s expected Sunday and Monday, the National Weather Service in Dodge City reported. Overnight lows for the next week will remain well below freezing.

Skies are expected to remain partly cloudy and there is only a slight — very slight — chance of precipitation mid-week. But the NWS said no rain or snow is expected in western Kansas through Dec. 9, noting the "exceptional" drought will continue well into the month.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670090651948.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>There was nearly a 70-degree swing in temperature from a record high on Thursday to the overnight low, according to the K-State Ag Research Center in Hays.The high on Thursday was a Dec. 2 record of 77 degrees, with the overnight low plunging to just 8 degrees.The high Saturday is expected to reach the low-40s, with highs in the low-50s expected Sunday and Monday, the National Weather Service in Dodge City reported. Overnight lows for the next week will remain well below freezing.Skies are expected to remain partly cloudy and there is only a slight — very slight — chance of precipitation mid-week. But the NWS said no rain or snow is expected in western Kansas through Dec. 9, noting the "exceptional" drought will continue well into the month.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The exceptional drought continues across southwest Kansas, with no moisture relief in sight. No rain of snow is expected over the upcoming week, with rain in Oklahoma mostly, or entirely, staying southeast of southwest Kansas. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kswx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kswx</a> <a href="https://t.co/DNY4eL90ul">pic.twitter.com/DNY4eL90ul</a>&mdash; NWS Dodge City (@NWSDodgeCity) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSDodgeCity/status/1598845321924136960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div>

70-degree temperature swing after record high Thursday

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued a boil water advisory for the city of Smith Center public water supply system located in Smith County.

Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice:

The advisory took effect on Dec. 2 and will remain in effect until the conditions that placed the system at risk of bacterial contamination are resolved. KDHE officials issued the advisory because of a line break resulting in a loss of pressure in the distribution system.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Regardless of whether the public water supplier or Kansas Department of Health and Environment announced a boil water advisory, only KDHE can issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.

For consumer questions, contact the water system at 785-282-3812, or KDHE at 785-296-5514. For consumer information, visit KDHE’s PWS Consumer Information webpage:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjEyMDMuNjc2MjQyMTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5rZGhlLmtzLmdvdi80NjgvQ29uc3VtZXItSW5mb3JtYXRpb24tUmVnYXJkaW5nLWEtRGlzcnVwdD91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkifQ.UNVsBG4uY_vAXdtjKKTd6y6Tw7zN_AfBsntjrnGqgh8/s/1305913623/br/149488557684-l" target="_blank">kdhe.ks.gov/waterdisruption</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670076172058.jpeg" alt="(Photo by Pixabay)" />
 <figcaption>(Photo by Pixabay)</figcaption>
 </figure>KDHETOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued a boil water advisory for the city of Smith Center public water supply system located in Smith County.Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice:<ul>
 <li>Boil water for one minute prior to drinking or food preparation or use bottled water.</li><li>Dispose of ice cubes and do not use ice from a household automatic icemaker.</li><li>If your tap water appears dirty, flush the water lines by letting the water run until it clears.</li><li>Disinfect dishes and other food contact surfaces by immersion for at least one minute in clean tap water that contains one teaspoon of unscented household bleach per gallon of water.</li><li>Water used for bathing does not generally need to be boiled. Supervision of children is necessary while bathing so that water is not ingested. Persons with cuts or severe rashes may wish to consult their physicians.</li>
 </ul>The advisory took effect on Dec. 2 and will remain in effect until the conditions that placed the system at risk of bacterial contamination are resolved. KDHE officials issued the advisory because of a line break resulting in a loss of pressure in the distribution system.&nbsp;&nbsp;Regardless of whether the public water supplier or Kansas Department of Health and Environment announced a boil water advisory, only KDHE can issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.For consumer questions, contact the water system at 785-282-3812, or KDHE at 785-296-5514. For consumer information, visit KDHE’s PWS Consumer Information webpage:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjEyMDMuNjc2MjQyMTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5rZGhlLmtzLmdvdi80NjgvQ29uc3VtZXItSW5mb3JtYXRpb24tUmVnYXJkaW5nLWEtRGlzcnVwdD91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkifQ.UNVsBG4uY_vAXdtjKKTd6y6Tw7zN_AfBsntjrnGqgh8/s/1305913623/br/149488557684-l" target="_blank">kdhe.ks.gov/waterdisruption</a>

KDHE issues boil order for Smith Center

VICTORIA — One of Ellis County's most beloved holiday traditions, the annual Christmas concert in the St. Fidelis Basilica is set to return at 3:30 p.m. Dec. 11.

"It's a big deal with us, and we'd like to see the big crowd come in and fill up St. Fidelis. It usually does," said Terry Crull, Fort Hays State University director of choral activities.

This year's concert marks the 36th year of the free event.

"That's the gift from St. Fidelis and the Fort Hays Choirs," Crull said.

During the concert, attendees will enjoy music provided by FHSU faculty and ensembles and other guest musicians, along with the Fort Hays Singers and Concert Choir, Smoky Hill Chorale and the Hays High School Chamber Singers, according to the event announcement.

"Our special guests this year is the TMP-Marian pop singers," Crull said. "Alexandra Rome (TMP-Marian Choir director) is a former singer of mine, and her choir is going to come and be our guest choir. They're going to combine on a number with the Hays High Chamber Singers.

"We've got the Fort Hays Brass Ensemble, and the Hays symphony orchestra is playing this year," he continued. "They're doing a suite of airs and dances, and then they're also accompanying the Fort Hays Singers on a traditional piece that my generation would know 'Twas the Night Before Christmas and All Through the House,' that old poem from years ago set to music by Harry Simone, and so they're going to have a little fun with that."

Returning again this year are carols of the season performed by the assembled crowd.

"We're going to give them a chance to stand and stretch and sing some of the joyous carols of Christmas," Crull said.

Fort Hays State University music professors Ivalah Allen, Ben Cline and Irena Ravitskaya, along with accompanist Pam McGowan, will also be featured during the concert.

"It's a full program, but we keep it moving because while the interludes, the brass ensemble, etc., are playing, that's when choirs move on and off quietly so as not to disturb the performance," Crull said. "But that way, as soon as one musical item is done, the next one can start."

As the event typically fills the cathedral, he said choir members would help direct the audience to fill the pews.

"There's no bad seat in the entire sanctuary," he said. "Anywhere you sit, and anywhere you sing from, the sound is just glorious. ... I've been in Italy, with choir tour, singing in some of the great cathedrals there in Rome. The sound is just as good in St. Fidelis. Maybe there aren't as many statues by Michelangelo or Raphael. And if you go to Spain, there's a little more gold all over the place than there is in St. Fidelis, but it's a beautiful sound."

He said the concert would be around 90 minutes, allowing ample time to enjoy the annual Frost Fest parade in downtown Hays at 6 p.m.

"It's a busy time of year," Crull said. "So we think it's a great way to start the holiday season. Second Sunday of Advent this year — Dec. 11 at 3:30 p.m. and free. Absolutely free. "

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670010791180.jpeg" alt="File photo" />
 <figcaption>File photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By JAMES BELL Hays PostVICTORIA — One of Ellis County's most beloved holiday traditions, the annual Christmas concert in the St. Fidelis Basilica is set to return at 3:30 p.m. Dec. 11."It's a big deal with us, and we'd like to see the big crowd come in and fill up St. Fidelis. It usually does," said Terry Crull, Fort Hays State University director of choral activities.This year's concert marks the 36th year of the free event."That's the gift from St. Fidelis and the Fort Hays Choirs," Crull said.During the concert, attendees will enjoy music provided by FHSU faculty and ensembles and other guest musicians, along with the Fort Hays Singers and Concert Choir, Smoky Hill Chorale and the Hays High School Chamber Singers, according to the event announcement.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670010759211.jpeg" alt="File photo" />
 <figcaption>File photo</figcaption>
 </figure>"Our special guests this year is the TMP-Marian pop singers," Crull said. "Alexandra Rome (TMP-Marian Choir director) is a former singer of mine, and her choir is going to come and be our guest choir. They're going to combine on a number with the Hays High Chamber Singers."We've got the Fort Hays Brass Ensemble, and the Hays symphony orchestra is playing this year," he continued. "They're doing a suite of airs and dances, and then they're also accompanying the Fort Hays Singers on a traditional piece that my generation would know 'Twas the Night Before Christmas and All Through the House,' that old poem from years ago set to music by Harry Simone, and so they're going to have a little fun with that."Returning again this year are carols of the season performed by the assembled crowd."We're going to give them a chance to stand and stretch and sing some of the joyous carols of Christmas," Crull said.Fort Hays State University music professors Ivalah Allen, Ben Cline and Irena Ravitskaya, along with accompanist Pam McGowan, will also be featured during the concert."It's a full program, but we keep it moving because while the interludes, the brass ensemble, etc., are playing, that's when choirs move on and off quietly so as not to disturb the performance," Crull said. "But that way, as soon as one musical item is done, the next one can start."As the event typically fills the cathedral, he said choir members would help direct the audience to fill the pews.But Crull said any seat is good."There's no bad seat in the entire sanctuary," he said. "Anywhere you sit, and anywhere you sing from, the sound is just glorious. ... I've been in Italy, with choir tour, singing in some of the great cathedrals there in Rome. The sound is just as good in St. Fidelis. Maybe there aren't as many statues by Michelangelo or Raphael. And if you go to Spain, there's a little more gold all over the place than there is in St. Fidelis, but it's a beautiful sound."He said the concert would be around 90 minutes, allowing ample time to enjoy the annual Frost Fest parade in downtown Hays at 6 p.m."It's a busy time of year," Crull said. "So we think it's a great way to start the holiday season. Second Sunday of Advent this year — Dec. 11 at 3:30 p.m. and free. Absolutely free. "

Sounds of Christmas return to Ellis County with annual Cathedral Concert

SHERIDAN COUNTY —A Kansas man died in an accident just before 3:30p.m. Friday in Sheridan County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Kenworth semi driven by Jamie Beeson, 54, Scott City, was traveling on U.S. 24 seven miles west of Kansas 23 Highway.

The semi struck a struck a 2018 Ram driven by Brenton Phillips, 63, Selden, who was stopped behind a 2014 Peterbilt semi driven by Guy Wolf, 76, Syracuse, Nebraska.

The impact pushed the Ram into the Peterbilt. 

The Kenworth and Ram came to rest in the south ditch.&nbsp; The Peterbilt semi came to rest on the shoulder approximately a quarter mile east of the accident scene.

Phillips was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Mickey Leopold Mortuary. A private vehicle transported Beeson to the Sheridan County Hospital. Wolf was not injured. Phillips was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

SHERIDAN COUNTY —A Kansas man died in an accident just before 3:30p.m. Friday in Sheridan County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Kenworth semi driven by Jamie Beeson, 54, Scott City, was traveling on U.S. 24 seven miles west of Kansas 23 Highway.The semi struck a struck a 2018 Ram driven by Brenton Phillips, 63, Selden, who was stopped behind a 2014 Peterbilt semi driven by Guy Wolf, 76, Syracuse, Nebraska.The impact pushed the Ram into the Peterbilt. The Kenworth and Ram came to rest in the south ditch.&nbsp; The Peterbilt semi came to rest on the shoulder approximately a quarter mile east of the accident scene.Phillips was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Mickey Leopold Mortuary. A private vehicle transported Beeson to the Sheridan County Hospital. Wolf was not injured. Phillips was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

NW Kansas man dies after semi rear-ends a pickup 

Hays public works crews got their first experience with brining the streets <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/a6510352-cdaa-44a1-8429-6a7414f3489b">Nov. 14</a>, just ahead of the first — and only — measurable snowfall in Hays so far this season.

"Ironically, on Nov. 10, all service division employees participated in a 'liquids in winter operations and maintenance' workshop. Very timely," Collin Bielser, assistant city manager, told Hays city commissioners during a recent progress report of city departments' activities.&nbsp;

"All winter maintenance equipment has been checked over and is ready if needed," Bielser added.&nbsp;

The city has two trucks capable of applying the liquid brine. "It takes about four to five hours to cover the city," Bielser said.&nbsp;

In anticipation of holiday events, public works crews also installed holiday street decorations in downtown Hays with the assistance of the parks department.

Twenty-three lighted wreaths were hung along Main Street.&nbsp;

Parks employees trimmed shrubbery along 10th and Main prior to hanging Christmas lights and decorations on the tree in Union Pacific Railroad Park.

Watch the video below for highlights of more projects recently completed by city departments.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670006892995.jpeg" alt="One of two trucks used by the city of Hays to brine the streets prior to a predicted ice or snow event. (Photo courtesy city of Hays)" />
 <figcaption>One of two trucks used by the city of Hays to brine the streets prior to a predicted ice or snow event. (Photo courtesy city of Hays)</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostHays public works crews got their first experience with brining the streets <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/a6510352-cdaa-44a1-8429-6a7414f3489b">Nov. 14</a>, just ahead of the first — and only — measurable snowfall in Hays so far this season."Ironically, on Nov. 10, all service division employees participated in a 'liquids in winter operations and maintenance' workshop. Very timely," Collin Bielser, assistant city manager, told Hays city commissioners during a recent progress report of city departments' activities.&nbsp;"All winter maintenance equipment has been checked over and is ready if needed," Bielser added.&nbsp;The city has two trucks capable of applying the liquid brine. "It takes about four to five hours to cover the city," Bielser said.&nbsp;In anticipation of holiday events, public works crews also installed holiday street decorations in downtown Hays with the assistance of the parks department.Twenty-three lighted wreaths were hung along Main Street.&nbsp;Parks employees trimmed shrubbery along 10th and Main prior to hanging Christmas lights and decorations on the tree in Union Pacific Railroad Park.Watch the video below for highlights of more projects recently completed by city departments.<div><div style="position:relative; overflow:hidden; padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/8le06FIV-P46diVCW.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" title="Hays Oct Progress Report" style="position:absolute;" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div>

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